Silver doped amorphous silica nanocomposite with dual antibacterial and osteoconductive properties for bone tissue regeneration

Abstract

Bone tissue regeneration remains a major clinical challenge due to limitations of conventional grafts and synthetic scaffolds, including poor bioactivity and infection risks. To address these issues, silver-doped amorphous silica (Ag-aSiO2) nanocomposites were synthesized via a sol-gel method and systematically characterized. Structural and morphological features were confirmed using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and nitrogen adsorption analysis, revealing successful silver incorporation within the silica matrix while preserving its amorphous structure and high surface area. Antibacterial efficacy was evaluated against S. aureus using the disc diffusion assay, where 10 wt.% Ag-aSiO2 exhibited a clear inhibition zone (8.06 ± 0.04 mm), confirming strong antimicrobial activity absent in pure silica. Bioactivity studies in simulated body fluid (SBF) demonstrated robust hydroxyapatite (HA) formation, verified by SEM, EDX, and XRD, indicating excellent osteoconductive properties. The synergistic combination of amorphous silica’s high surface area and silver’s antibacterial action resulted in a multifunctional scaffold with dual benefits, which are effective infection control and enhanced mineralization for bone repair. These findings establish Ag-aSiO2 as a promising candidate for bone tissue engineering applications, integrating structural support, osteoconductivity, and antimicrobial protection. Future studies will focus on in vivo validation and clinical translation, with emphasis on optimizing silver release kinetics and long-term biocompatibility. KEY WORDS: Silver, Silica, Nanomaterials, Tissue engineering, Antimicrobial Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2026, 40(11), 2473-2487                                         DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v40i11.14